Fashion Takes Action Studies Textile Recycling

Fashion Takes Action (FTA) – whose mission is to drive sustainability across the fashion system – has published a report entitled “A Feasibility Study of Textile Recycling in Canada”. The report was commissioned by Environment and Climate Change Canada and aimed to profile the possibilities and the feasibility of a local textile recycling industry.

As the report’s authors note, “When most people think of plastics, they think of packaging or everyday objects … but few will associate plastics with textiles. However, seven percent of all plastics in Canadian landfills are textiles, [which] makes textiles the third largest sub-category of plastic waste after packaging and automobiles in absolute terms. ”It is therefore worth researching this relationship between plastics and textiles, and questions should be asked, such as: Why is so much textile garbage ends up in landfills ? And what are the current options for using this wasted material economically?

In order to better understand textile waste in the Canadian context and its contribution to plastic waste, the FTA carried out a study from January 2020 to March 2021. The investigation and the report are divided into five parts:

• A literature review on the introduction and definition of textiles, description of global fiber consumption and provision of an overview of sorting and recycling methods for textiles
• A description of the sources of textile waste, diversion and collection programs, and the role of key stakeholders such as consumers, charities, second-hand sellers and sorters
• A survey and analysis of non-residential textile waste, including fiber and yarn mills, textile and apparel manufacturers, and apparel brands and retailers
• A technical review and analysis to evaluate the requirements and feasibility of the various sorting and recycling processes (i.e. chemical, mechanical or hydrothermal) through global market research on existing technologies
• Recommendations for the best management of textile waste in Canada, presented in three categories: process focus, product focus and system focus

One of the most striking findings of the report is that “when you put all the results together with raw materials, capital costs and technology readiness into account, the most promising technology for building a textile recycling industry in Canada is mechanical recycling.” And the best way to get that recycling process in Getting things going, the researchers say, is a pilot project with a retailer or manufacturer. “To make this pilot a success, not only the technology but also potential end markets for the new products have to be considered.”

They also identify the need for a platform that “fosters communication between stakeholders and brings them together on common challenges and opportunities so that key information can be shared and a vision for textile recycling in Canada can be created”.

Other highlights of the researchers’ recommendations include the importance of:

• • Make textiles a designated waste material: Both the federal government and the Canadian provinces must monitor textiles as their own type of waste
  • Communicating the value of textile waste: Each province should have textile diversion programs in place and it should be mandatory for provincial municipalities to report data on textile waste
  • Promotion of textile waste diversion programs: Develop intermediate textile diversion programs for communities that are not yet ready to divert all textiles
  • Financing of textile diversion programs: Assistance in financing the establishment of textile diversion programs at the municipal level (this may include landfill bans).
  • Promoting a Textile Recycling Industry in Canada: Encourage brand owners to keep their material in Canada and possibly introduce an in-store take-back program as a form of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
  • Tracking specific import data on textiles and apparel: There is currently no data on the number of textiles imported into Canada
  • Financing of a national working group on textile diversion: Help set up a national working group on textile diversion that promotes a circular economy for textiles, with several actors along the value chain
  • Review of the Textile Labeling Act: “New material only” regulation needs to be adapted so that all provinces can include recycled ingredients
  • Carry out further research on repair, reconditioning and upcycling: Fund further research on the potential of these methods to reduce textile waste in landfills
  • Promote the use of recycled fibers: through procurement and tax incentives for products made from recycled fibers
  • Support Post-Secondary Circular Design Education: Make it mandatory for Fashion Design degrees in Canada to have a circular approach to design teaching.

Check out the report here.

source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/fashion-takes-action-studies-textile-recycling/